Eric Greitens

Eric Greitens is a former U.S. Navy SEAL officer, Rhodes Scholar, New York Times bestselling author, humanitarian, and former governor of Missouri. Greitens earned scholarships to attend Duke University, where he graduated summa cum laude and was selected as a Rhodes Scholar. He attended the University of Oxford, earning a master's degree and a doctorate, focusing his research on how international humanitarian organizations can best assist children in war zones. During this time, he worked as a humanitarian volunteer and documentary photographer in countries including Bosnia, Rwanda, Cambodia, Albania, Mexico, India, and Bolivia. His doctoral thesis provided the foundation for his ongoing work in humanitarian aid and public service.

After completing his studies at Oxford, Greitens served four tours of duty as a U.S. Navy SEAL officer, rising to the rank of lieutenant commander. He commanded a unit targeting al-Qaeda and received military honors including the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Combat Action Ribbon. The Association of the United States Navy named him the Navy Reserve Junior Line Officer of the Year. Greitens was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as a White House Fellow, working in the Department of Housing and Urban Development to assist with rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Katrina.

Greitens is the author of several books, including "Strength and Compassion," which was recognized as ForeWord Magazine's Photography Book of the Year and won the New York Book Festival. His book "The Heart and the Fist: The Education of a Humanitarian, the Making of a Navy SEAL" became a New York Times bestseller, and "The Warrior's Heart" was recognized as one of the best teen books by Barnes & Noble and Kirkus Reviews. He also wrote "Resilience: Hard-Won Wisdom for Living a Better Life," another New York Times bestseller, which offers practical guidance on overcoming adversity. Greitens' work has been covered by national media outlets including NPR, CNN, Fox, CBS, The Colbert Report, the TODAY Show, The Daily Show, the New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal.

Following his military service, Greitens founded the nonprofit organization The Mission Continues, which supports wounded and disabled veterans in building new lives as citizen leaders. For his humanitarian work, he received the Gleitsman Citizen Activist Award from Harvard Kennedy School and the President's Volunteer Service Award. Time included Greitens in its list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World, and Fortune featured him among the World's 50 Greatest Leaders.

Greitens won the Republican primary and defeated Democratic candidate Chris Koster in the general election, becoming the 56th governor of Missouri and the state's first Jewish governor. For his leadership, he was inducted into the American Academy of Achievement. Represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau, Greitens addresses topics such as leadership, team building, overcoming adversity, and the power of service, drawing from his experience as a humanitarian and Navy SEAL lieutenant commander.